Scottish mountain rescue legend Heavy Whalley dies aged 72

RAF and mountain rescue veteran David “Heavy” Whalley, who helped save hundreds of lives during his career, has died at the age of 72.

His death was confirmed on Monday and follows a diagnosis of terminal cancer last year.

Over his career, he performed key roles working in search and rescue across Scotland.

Mr Whalley earned his nickname “Heavy” when he joined the RAF in 1971 at 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing just seven stone.

Search and rescue on Skye 1987 (David 'Heavy' Whalley in white top). — Search and rescue on Skye 1987 (David ‘Heavy’ Whalley in white top). David ‘Heavy’ Whalley

He previously told WalkHighlands that despite his size, he “could handle himself” and the nickname stuck.

Mr Whalley was one of the UK’s most experienced mountain rescue experts.

He was the senior team leader at the Lockerbie disaster in December 1988 when 270 people were killed in the terrorist attack.

He was also involved in the hunt for survivors when a Chinook helicopter crashed on Mull of Kintyre in 1994 and the four RAF crew and 25 terrorism experts were killed.

He served with the RAF Mountain Rescue Service for almost 40 years, attending more than 1,000 mountain incidents, dozens of air accidents and helped save hundreds of lives.

David 'Heavy' Whalley received a diagnosis of terminal cancer last year. — David ‘Heavy’ Whalley received a diagnosis of terminal cancer last year. David ‘Heavy’ Whalley

He was team leader of RAF Leuchars, RAF Kinloss, and deputy team leader at RAF Valley in North Wales.

He spent the last four years of his RAF career working in the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss.

Mountain rescue teams across the country have paid tribute to Mr Whalley following news of his death.

Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team said Mr Whalley’s courage in dealing with his final illness over the last year “showed he wasn’t just a king in the mountains, but an incredible man”.

“Anyone who has been following his blog posts cannot help but think ‘how can one man have crammed all that service into one lifetime,'” the tribute read.

“You will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”

Walkers’ website WalkHighlands, founded by Helen and Paul Webster, also issued a tribute to Mr Whalley.

“Saddened to hear the news that mountain rescue legend David ‘Heavy’ Whalley has passed away,” it read.

“Always greatly admired his positivity about new generations getting out in the outdoors.”

Other tributes called him a “hero” and a “legend”.